By Everson Luhanga
Four children have died after allegedly consuming poison in Thembisa’s Kanana section.
Yumina Ngobeni, 5, and her little brother Lameck, 3, along with Phineas Mtho and Gideon Maswanganyi, both 4, died after they were suspected to have consumed rat poison while playing together on Wednesday afternoon.
Distraught mother, Ameria Mngwambi, 27, who lost two of her children, Yumina and Lameck, said she is still in disbelief.
The father of the two siblings, Nicholas Ngobeni, said the children always played together.
“When I arrived at our local clinic, I was told that my children had been transferred to Tembisa Hospital. While on my way to the hospital, I received a call that they had both died,” the father said.
A woman, who witnessed and helped the children to be taken to the hospital, said the children started crying and cried for help.
“When I heard the siblings crying I rushed to check what was happening. I found that they were sweating badly. Soon they started falling asleep.
“I had to call people who had cars to help transport the siblings to hospital. Soon, two other children from next door also showed similar symptoms and they, too, were taken to the clinic,” she said.
Another mother, Jennette Maswanganyi, 43, who lost her four-year-old son, Gideon, said her son’s death brings fresh memories of a horrible year that has been.
She said this is the third child she has lost this year.
“On 3 March, I lost my 12-year-old daughter. On 14 April, I lost my 34-year-old son and today 8 May, I lost my four-year-old son. I am heartbroken. This has been the darkest time of my life,” she said.
She said she was at home doing the washing when she was told that her son had fallen onto the ground.
“When I rushed to him, he asked me to cover him with a blanket, then he asked me to remove the blanket. By that time, he was sweating,” she said.
Yolanda Shomuya, 25, who lost her firstborn, Phineas, said: “Both my husband and I were home when this happened. We were in the house when we heard that Phineas was crying outside. His dad suspected that he could have consumed poison and rushed him to hospital. But my son died on his arrival.”
Ward 80 councillor, Melody Hlatshwayo, said the community was shocked when hearing the news.
The Ekurhuleni North District police spokesperson Captain Neldah Sekgobela said police in Rabie Ridge are investigating four inquest dockets after four children died on Wednesday afternoon.
“It is alleged that the children aged between three and six years were playing in the yard at Kanana Extension 4 in Rabie Ridge when they started showing signs of severe distress,” Sekgobela said.
She said no one is suspected at this moment.
Pictured above: The children.
Image source: Supplied
